Flo Fabrizio, Erie political stalwart, dies at 73

Kevin Flowers @ETNFlowers

Wednesday

Jul 25, 2018 at 12:01 AMJul 25, 2018 at 6:10 AM

Gov. Tom Wolf: 'Fabrizio's life was one of passion'

State Rep. Florindo Fabrizio, who served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for 16 years after a 20-year run as Erie County clerk, died Tuesday after a more than year-long battle with pancreatic cancer, said state Rep. Pat Harkins, of Erie, D-1st Dist.

Fabrizio was 73.

"He was a fighter to the end," Harkins said. "The region has lost a dynamic legislator, and I lost a great friend and mentor."

He said Fabrizio died shortly before 8 a.m. and was in hospice care.

Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday morning released the following statement regarding Fabrizio:

"Representative Fabrizio’s life was one of passion and he spent his career fighting for the people he represented in Erie. Flo was a loyal and loving husband, father, colleague, friend and representative. He was a personal friend to me and I will never forget his zeal for life, even in his most difficult days. His legacy in Erie and across Pennsylvania will live on for years to come and I encourage all Pennsylvanians to keep him, his family and all those mourning in their thoughts today."

State Sen. Dan Laughlin, of Millcreek Township, R-49th Dist., said of Fabrizio: "It's been an honor to serve alongside Representative Fabrizio for the past year and a half. Flo, being the gentleman that he was, welcomed me into his district office to congratulate me before I was even sworn in as senator.

"He made sure that I knew his door was always open to me. We collaborated on several issues, most recently, funding for the JMC Ice Arena renovation project. My sympathy to his entire family. He will be sorely missed by friends, colleagues, and constituents."

Fabrizio, known as Flo, represented the 2nd Legislative District, which includes Erie's west side, Summit Township and the Belle Valley area of Millcreek Township.

A graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Fabrizio was a teacher with the Erie School District for six years before becoming a stockbroker. He became county clerk in August 1982, and a decade later decided to challenge incumbent and fellow Democrat Gayle Wright in the 2002 primary for 2nd District seat.

Wright had won a one-year term during a special 2001 election that followed the death of state Rep. Italo Cappabianca. Fabrizio beat Wright by 309 votes in one of the most closely watched primary races of that year.

He was unopposed in the November 2002 election. Fabrizio then subsequently won seven consecutive House races, and was frequently unopposed for re-election.

In April 2017, Fabrizio publicly announced that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He said it was discovered as he was hospitalized for a bleeding ulcer.

Fabrizio began a regimen of chemotherapy after additional tests and consultations with specialists and oncologists in Erie and Pittsburgh. He also vowed to keep working.

"While undergoing treatment, I intend to continue to serve my constituents and the people of Pennsylvania," Fabrizio said in a statement on April 13, 2017. "As always, my excellent staffs both in Erie and Harrisburg will be available to handle all constituent needs."

Fabrizio kept his word.

He continued to work full days at his Erie office, and attended legislative sessions in Harrisburg on the state budget and the way the state distributes funds paid to communities that host casinos. Fabrizio also continued to lend legislative support to local development projects.

In an extended interview with the Erie Times-News in August 2017, Fabrizio explained why he wanted to stay busy, despite his diagnosis.

“If I have a limited number of days on this earth, ” Fabrizio said, “I’m going to enjoy them. And, I’ve still got a job to do.”

In January, Fabrizio announced he would not seek a ninth two-year term.

Erie City Councilman Bob Merski — who was endorsed by Fabrizio — won the May 15 Democratic primary for the 2nd District seat, and will face Republican Tim Kuzma in November 6 election.

Kevin Flowers can be reached at 870-1693 or by email. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ETNflowers.

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